William Kassouf's confrontational tactics have made him a very polarising player in the poker world

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By Nick Schwartz for Fox Sports and News.com.au Staff writers

25th October 2016, 1:06 pm

Updated: 25th October 2016, 1:10 pm

ENGLISH professional poker player William Kassouf uses his mouth to try to gain an advantage at the table, and has a history of tilting fellow pros.

The tactic has made Kassouf a very polarising player in the poker world, and fellow pros have been weighing in on Twitter after a clip of Kassouf sparring with Griffin Benger during the World Series of Poker Main Event aired and went viral.

The confrontation occurred in July but has now been broadcast on ESPN.

Youtube/PokerXpress.net

Benger had remained silent to Kassouf’s antics earlier in the game

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But he then blew up, branding Kassouf an 'abusive person'

Here’s what went down during a hand that ended with $27,800,000 in chips in the middle of the table and a player eliminated amid wild scenes.

Deep into the tournament with the final table in sight, Benger — holding pocket aces — raised Kassouf to $5.6 million.

Kassouf, who was holding pocket kings, responded by asking Benger what he should do in the situation.

He said: “Is this another cooler (an even bigger hand than a player’s own big hand)? If you’ve got it, you’ve got it. I don’t think I can pass here. What do you want me to do, do you want me to go all-in or fold? Talk to me. You don’t say anything, I might have to ship you. Play for the win, right? You doing the same?”

Benger had remained silent to Kassouf’s antics earlier on — but he couldn’t any longer.

“You’re just an abusive person, man, it’s not funny. It’s not a game. You’re being abusive to me. It’s called verbal abuse.

But Benger would not concede, replying: “This is verbal abuse. This is what it feels like.”

Then, Kassouf looks over at the tournament director and Benger snaps: “He’s not your Dad. He’s not going to help you. No one is going to help you.”

Youtube/PokerXpress.net

Kassouf finished in 17th place and took home more than $300k in winnings

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He was eliminated after no kings were dealt, leaving with a quiet “nice hand”

WSOP commentator Norman Chad dropped an epic comment as the players waited for the flop, saying: “If this gets any worse, it might rival the Russian roulette scene in The Deer Hunter.”

Kassouf was eliminated after no kings were dealt, leaving with a quiet “nice hand” and a handshake for the pumped-up Benger.

Kassouf finished in 17th place and took home more than $300k in winnings, while Benger has advanced to the November Nine and is assured of winning at least $1 million.

Kassouf said that the worst confrontation he ever had came in Spain, where a German player threatened to beat him up.

Youtube/PokerXpress.net

Benger has advanced to the November Nine and is assured of winning at least $1 million

He told PokerListings: “There was this German guy at EPT Barcelona. He kicked off, he started shouting at me. Told me to shut the [expletive] up. Told me to hurry up. Called the clock on me. I wasn’t even in the hand.”

Eventually the German player told Kassouf to meet him outside the casino after play ended.

“He was being really threatening,” he said. “That’s the closest I’ve come to a physical altercation. I’ve never been in a fight in my life, on the poker table or off. I’m not that kind of guy. I like to think I’m a friendly guy.”